Best Buy targeting $400M in annualized savings from phase 2 of 'Renew Blue'Since the 3Q15 earnings release, Renew Blue annualized cost reductions have increased an additional $55M, bringing the total Renew Blue annualized cost reductions to $1.02B, Best Buy stated. In FY16, the company is launching Phase Two of its Renew Blue cost reduction and gross profit optimization program with a target of approximately $400Min annualized operating income improvement over three years, including the remaining benefit of approximately $250M from the company’s previously discussed returns, replacements and damages opportunity. These savings will be structural in nature and will be driven by streamlined processes and operational efficiencies that will be primarily enabled through investments in systems.

Best Buy completes sale of its Five Star business in ChinaAs previously announced on December 4, 2014, the company entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Five Star business in China. As a result of this agreement, Five Star was classified as held for sale at the end of FY15 and its results are included in discontinued operations for the current and prior-year periods. On February 13, Best Buy completed the sale of Five Star. The company has recast certain financial information for FY14 and FY15 to reflect the results from the Five Star business in China as discontinued operations.

Best Buy technical comments before resultsThe stock has had a strong advance over the prior year, but that has stalled somewhat heading into earnings in the last few months. The shares have been in a trading range largely bound by $35 at the low, and $40 at the high. Those two levels can help up project where price may go following results. A breakout above the $40 area, at the 52-week high, would be bullish. Based on the size of the trading range, we could expect a move to the $45 area would then be in the cards, or possibly better depending on the degree of positive surprise. If the news is bearish and price breaks down below $35, the following support levels could become downside objectives: $33.17, $31.30.

Best Buy volatility increases into Q4 and outlook Best Buy March weekly call option implied volatility is at 60, March is at 42, April is at 35, June is at 34; compared to its 26-week average of 41 according to Track Data, suggesting large near term price movement into the expected release Q4 results on March 3.